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Fantasy Stars & Studs, Week 17: Season-long standouts

By Nicholas McGee

Dec 28, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) reacts after his touchdown pass against the New England Patriots in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) reacts after his touchdown pass against the New England Patriots in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 10, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive end Michael Brockers (90) and defensive end Aaron Donald (99) celebrate after a sack in the third quarter against the New England Patriots at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive end Michael Brockers (90) and defensive end Aaron Donald (99) celebrate after a sack in the third quarter against the New England Patriots at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Rams D/ST

The Rams may be limping into the playoffs, but the strength of their defense ensures they will have a shot when they face the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round on Saturday.

With Aaron Donald continuing to wreak havoc up front and Jalen Ramsey leading a playmaking secondary, the Rams defense has been the cause of several victories for Los Angeles in the regular season, and will have had a decisive impact on plenty of fantasy matchups over the course of the year.

Averaging 9.4 points per game, the Rams finished the regular season with 151 points, the most of any fantasy defense, with the Pittsburgh Steelers (148) close behind.

The Rams were top of the pile despite recording five fewer turnovers than the Steelers. Pittsburgh also had three more sacks than Los Angeles, but the Rams made up that disparity by allowing six fewer touchdowns than the Steelers’ similarly stingy defense.

Even with the incredible depth of talent they have on that side of the ball, the Rams defense was on average the 10th off the board in fantasy drafts in 2020.

Next. Bad Coaching in the NFL: Black Monday Spectacular. dark

Whether they will be the first defense selected in 2021 will perhaps depend on other factors, such as Bud Dupree’s future with the Steelers. But next season fantasy owners likely won’t be waiting around as long to take the Rams when it comes time to pick a defense.

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